INSIDE PERSPECTIVES of AS & Neuro-diversity

 

CHARACTERISTICS

 

Asperger syndrome

 

   Aspies are as individual as the rest of the population and can have the most varying characteristics when it comes to body type, neurology, temperament, abilities, difficulties, interests, values etc. Painting a uniform picture is therefore rather impossible; all one can do is mention characteristics that one can have or which been found relatively common, even if there may be many exceptions.

 

   The DSM-IV definitions of ASD need not be replicated here. I believe there is a growing consensus that these definitions are too narrow, stereotyped, gender biased and negatively slanted to be relied upon as a complete definition. Hopefully, the next edition will include more nuanced definitions, including the many sensory issues which are incredibly common but not even mentioned in the current edition.

 

   A more positively slanted list was created by autism expert Tony Attwood & Carol Grey:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the neurodiversity spectrum

 

     Besides Asperger Syndrome, Autism, Hyperlexia, Rett Syndrome, PDD and other Autism Spectrum Conditions, the wider Neuropsychiatric or Neuro-Diversity Spectrum also includes ADHD, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Developmental Dyspraxia, Learning Disabilibies, OCD, ODD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Scotopic Sensitivity, Tourette Syndrome and perhaps a few more; the list keeps growing.

 

   What can be rather confusing is that so many diagnoses overlap. The autistic spectrum seems to be the most inclusive, whereas the others are more limited and specific. Here is one voice about neurodiversity and the problems with labelling:

 

   “I think, when you look at neurodiversity as a whole there is a large group of difference.  Some of them are a problem only because they are different from the majority of people and therefore the world is not set up for them.  Some examples of this would be HSP and introversion.  Some are problems no matter how you look at them - such as face blindness or lack of coordination.  The majority of these things are on a continuum.  For example, some introverts are more introverted than others.

 

   “These traits often cluster together.  If you have one neurodiverse trait you are more likely to have additional neurodiverse traits.  I am not sure why this is.  The more of these traits you have, the more difficult it is to function.  It is much more difficult to cope or compensate for 7-10 traits than it is for 1-3 traits.  Also the stronger the traits are the harder it will be to cope or compensate for.  If you can't function in society because you have to many of these traits and/or they are too intense then it becomes a disability.  And when it becomes a disability then they have to put a label on it.

 

   “So clumps of traits are grouped together and given a label AS or ADD.  But other clumps of traits, perhaps just as common are not given a label.  For example there is no label for a combination of introvert, HSP and poor coordination.

 

   “The ‘clump traits together and give them a name’ strategy is fundementally flawed.  It ignores the huge differences among people that share the same label - such as AS or ADD - and implies that if some thing is proven to help [some] people with AS or ADD it is good for anyone who shares that label.  It hurts those who need help but don't qualify for it because their clump of traits do not fit a defined dx.  Labeling falsely claims you have one thing, not a group of things which may be better treated individually.”

- Ilah, adult probable Aspie from USA

 

     For anyone with an autistic child, I warmly recommend Donna Williams’ book The Jumbled Jigsaw where she sorts out the confusing mess that is called ‘autism’. (Just like I try to do on this site about AS.)